Planning the trip and being met at San Francisco
Airport by the company that arranged the trip, LifeCycle Adventures. Being
driven to Napa, but being too late to start biking and so being driven further
to Calistoga, where we get our bikes and ourselves ready for the days to come.

Getting a late start, having a flat tire, and
facing a long hill to start the trip. Our first visit to a vineyard for wine
tasting. Yet another flat, and barely beating darkness into the preppie town
of Healdsburg.

Saying goodbye to vineyards and entering the
forest and river portion of the trip as we bike west and south to the "quirky
and gay" town of Guerneville. A memorable dinner at a pizza joint having
an unexpected Halloween party.

A long day, broken into two descriptions here.
We head southwest along the Russian River towards the coast. Taking a beautiful
detour north to Cazadero through giant forests along deserted roads. Reaching
the magnificence of the California coast in this deserted region.

Biking south down the coast along cliffs overlooking
the surf breaking on giant rocks and empty sandy beaches. Meeting young bikers
just cycling until they run out of money. At the hotel meeting women at a
high school buddies reunion and reliving the movie, "The Birds",
which was filmed there.

Biking southeast down the coast, through forested
and beach areas. Enduring an endless hill on a country road. Arriving at our
pickup point and again meeting the young bikers with an interesting twist.